History of Education

By Nicholj25
  • 1440

    Creation of the Printing Press

    Information is now easily able to be replicated and dispersed. Makes mass production of educational texts possible.

  • First School in America

    The first school in America, Boston Latin School, was opened in Boston, Massachusetts.

  • John Locke Publishes "Essay Concerning Human Understanding"

    Locke writes that the human mind is a "tabula rasa", or blank slate. Becomes a major influence on how American Education develops.

  • First Public Supported Library

    The first public supported library opens up in Charles Town, South Carolina. This provides more opportunities for people to learn on their own.

  • American Philosophical Society

    Ben Franklin forms the American Philosophical Society, which brings concepts from the Enlightenment in Europe over to America. These ideas make education more secular.

  • Two Track Education

    Thomas Jefferson proposed a two track educational system. This differentiates education for people interested in higher education and for those who are interested in learning trades.

  • Department of Education Created

    Created to advise states on creating effective schools.

  • Plessy v Ferguson

    A ruling that makes separate but equal policies legal. This makes segregation the precedent in many areas, including education.

  • Scopes Trial

    John Scopes is convicted for teaching evolution in public schools. The evolution vs creationism debate in schools keeps going to this day.

  • Brown v Board of Education of Topeka

    A ruling that stated that "separate by equal" was unconstitutional. Overturned the rulings in Plessy v Ferguson. First step in long road to racial equality in American Education.

  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

    An act that was created to ensure that children with disabilities have all of the educational opportunities that other children have.

  • World Wide Web

    Since its creation, the world wide web has come to shape all aspects of human life, and education is no exception. The internet allows for more opportunities of discovery in and out of the classroom.

  • No Child Left Behind

    Holds schools accountable for the achievement levels of their students, mandating high-stakes student testing. Schools are able to be penalized for not meeting adequate progress.